Hello and welcome! This silly blog is an experiment in my own vanity in terms of my opinions on craft beer and music and various pairings (much like you would do with food). I definitely want to express that I am no expert in terms of brewing or in musical composition. This is merely opinion, my opinion (sometimes clouded by consumption) with regards to enjoyable beers and music. Cheers! (Check us out on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brews-and-Tunes/349546661726318?ref=hl)

Sunday, May 24, 2015

May 24th, 2015 - The Rabbit May Not Come Easy, But The Goose Sure Does

Guten abend! The Meista here with one more pairing for you tonight... a Goose IPA from Goose Island Beer Company and "Rabbit Don't Come Easy" from the amazing German power metal band Helloween!

Sound: With a sound more akin to early Helloween, the music of "Rabbit Don't Come Easy" is upbeat, fast-paced, and anthemic in nature. Gerstner's and Weikath's guitar work is soaring, fiery, and wonderfully executed. Grosskopt's powerful bass work coupled with Cross' and Dee's drumming is fist-pumping metal goodness like no other. And the vocal range of Deris is always a treat!

Notes: Regarding the album's rather odd title, bassist Grosskopf explained that it is "based on that English saying, pulling a rabbit out of the hat. Pulling this rabbit [the album] out of this hat [in reference to recent line up changes] wasn't that easy this time. That gave us the idea of just calling the album Rabbit Don't Come Easy. [Laughs] It's not to be taken too seriously. We were joking that statement around, and then I suggested we actually call the album that".

Pour: Golden amber with a frothy, 1-finger head that displays good lacing.

Nose: The nose of the Goose IPA is characterized by a burst of citrus, tropical fruit, and woodsy pine with more subtle notes of biscuit and caramel. There are aromas of lemon, lime, grapefruit, pineapple, pear, and mango along with soft caramel.

Taste: Like the nose, the taste of the Goose IPA is full of big citrus, tropical fruit, and floral/herbal flavors along with minerals. There are notes of pink grapefruit, lime, blood orange, pineapple, mango, pine, herbal tea, and Smarties.

Mouthfeel: Moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Goose IPA is very crisp, very juicy, and refreshing with a somewhat dry and bitter finish.

Overall pairing: The crisp, citrusy, sessionability of the Goose IPA goes great with the fast-paced, power metal goodness that is Helloween's "Rabbit Don't Come Easy"! The only danger with drinking any beer whilst listening to Helloween is that you tend to pound the brew without even realizing it. I was having so much fun listening to "Rabbit Don't Come Easy" that I finished my first Goose before the third song had completed!
Prost!! Zum Wohl!!